Combined separator and amalgamator



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

'L.xs. PIERCE, GUMBINED SEPARATOR AND AMALGAMATO'R.

` ANUREW'GRAHAMmHUTO-UTHO WASHINGIGN 0.a

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

L. s. PIERCE.

GOMBINED SEPAR-ATOR AND AMALGAMATOR.

@NQ Model.) sheets-'sheet 3.

L. s. PIERCE.

COMBINED sE-PAEATOE AND AMALGAMATUE. v

No. 560,750. e vPatented May 26, 1896.`

'"1" ELELELEEEIHEI- Ammzw aannamPEoTu-LrmawAghmGiqnmc. V

UNTTED STATES `PATENT OFFICE.

LUCIUS S. PIERCE, OE RED CLIEE, COLORADO.

COMBINED SEPARATOR ND ANIALGAMATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 560,750, dated May 26, 1896.

Application filed February 12,1895. Serial No. 538,128. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beitknown that I, LUcrUs S. PIERCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Red Clit't, in the county of Eagle and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Combined Separator' and Amalgamator, of which the following is a specification. i

This invention relates to separators and amalgamators; and ithas for its object to pro# vide a new and useful apparatus of this character having efiicient .means for the thorough separation of gold from gold-bearing substances and its complete collection by means of amalgamation. Y

To this end the main and primary object of the present invention is to construct a combined separator and amalgamator used in conjunction with an ordinary flume or sluiceway to secure the desired separation and amalgamation of the gold.

NV ith these and other objects in view, which will readily appear' as the nature of the invention is better understood,vthc same `consists in thc novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

In the drawings, 'Figure 1 is a plan view of a separator and amalgamator constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a llongitudinal sectional view on the line 2 2 of Eig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. el is a longitudinal sectional viewon th'e'line 4 i of Fig.

1. Fig.. 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. G is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 6 G of Fig. 1. Fig. 'Zis a detail bottom plan. View of the grill or grating for the bottom discharge-openin g of the 'flume or sluiceway.y Eig. S is a detail in perspective, partly in section, of the lower set of amalgainated riiile-plates. Fig. 9 is a similar view of the upper set of riiiie-plates- Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional View of the amalgamating-box with the heating-tank tted withinthe bottom thereof.

Referring to theaccompanying drawings, 1 designates a sectionof a fiume` or sluice-box that is designed tocarry water, together with gold-bearin g substances, from which the particles of gold are to be separated and collected. At one or more points the fiume 1 is provided with a bottom discharge-opening 2, through which the iiow from the iiume is allowed to pass into a bottom discharge-box 3, that is removably secured to the bottom of the iiume under the bottom discharge-opening 2 thereof. The removable bottom discharge-box 3 is open at the top to receive the iow from the .fiume and is provided with an inclined bottom a, that directs the iiow of water and gold-bearing substances toward one end of the box 3, which is provided at such end with a transverse dischargebpening 5, the iiow through which is regulated or cut off by means of a vertieallyfadtjustable cutoff gate G. The vertically-adjustable cut-off gate 6 is arranged transversely Within one end of the box 5 and Works over the inner side of the opening 5 to provide for covering and uncovering the said opening. The flow-regulating gate G, that is arranged to work within the box 3, over theend discharge-opening 5 thereof, has suitably connected to its opposite ends the lower ends of the opposite verticallymovable rack-bars 7. The vertically-movable rack-bars 7 are arranged to work in suitable guides or Ways S, formed in the opposite sides of the flume 1, and the teeth at the upper end of said rack-bars are adapted to be engaged by the adj listin g-pinions 9. The adjusting-pinions 9 are mounted on a single adjustin g-shaft 10, journaled transversely at the top'of the fiume 1 in suitable bearings 11, and said adj Listing-shaft 10 is provided at one end with a hand-crank 12, providing means for turning the shaft to raise and lower the gate G. A lock-dog or pawl 13 is pivotally mounted on the upper edge of one of the sides of the fiume and is adapted to be thrown into engagement with one of the pinions 9 to lock the shaft against rotation and hold the gate 6 stationary in its adjusted position.

The bottom discharge-box 3 is removably l IOO 2 of the fiume, but is first subjected to a separating action through a grill or grating 18. The grill or grating 1S is substantially rectangular in form and removably fits within the bottom discharge-opening 2 to act in the capacity of a separating-screen for separating larger rock, &c., from the sand and other fine substances that are designed to be passed through the apparatus.

The separating grill or grating consists of a connected series of parallel spaced grillbars 19, that are spaced sufficiently apart from each other to form longitudinal spaces or openings 2O therebetween, and through which openings or spaces the sand and fine rock pass into the bottom discharge-box 3 below the grill or grating. The parallel spaced grill-bars 19 are triangular-shaped in crosssection to form therebetween downwardlyflaring spaces, which cffectually prevent a wedging of the substances, which are sufficiently large to pass through the openings or spaces at the top surface of the grill or grating, and by reason of the disposition of the said grill-bars the same are provided with flat upper sides, presenting a smooth and unobstructed surface for the flow that passes through the flume 1. The said grill-bars 19 that are triangularly-shaped in cross-section are disposed at an angle or obliquely to the length of the flume '1, so that the water and rock in passing over the grill or grating 1S :must necessarily pass over two or more of the longitudinal openings or spaces 2O of the said grill or grating, thereby allowing the sand and gold to work through the grill or grating into the box 3, while the rock and gravel are carried on beyond the grill or grating by the flow of Water. It will be noted that any small rock or gravel that may happen to become fastened in the longitudinal spaces or openings of the grill or grating will be forced through and into the box 3 by the rock in the afterflow, whereby the grill or grating will be kept constantly clean or clear, so that the sand and particles of gold may always readily pass through the grill or grating and into the box 3.

The sand and gold which find their way into the bottom discharge-box 3 are directed through the end discharge-opening 5 of said box into one end of an independent combined separating and feed trough 2l. The combined separating and feed trough 21 is 'open at the top throughout its entire length and is arranged transversely below and at direct right angles to the flume 1. The said trough 21 is so arranged as to bear at one top -edge transversely under the discharging end of the box 3, so that the trough will receive the entire fiow from the said discharge-box, and at one end the combined separating and feed trough 2l has pivotally connected thereto, as at 22, a U -shaped fastening-bail 23, that is provided at its opposite extremities with the hooks 24, adapted to detachably engage with the keepers 25, fitted in one side of the flume 1. The

fastening means described fasten one end of the trough 2l. to the flume, and therefore serve to clamp the trough properly in position below the discharging end of the box 3.

The combined separating and feed trough 21 may be of any desired length according to the nu mber of amalgamatin g devices that are designed to be fed thereby; but whatever may be its length the said trough is extended at one end beyond the side of the fiume opposite to which the other end of the trough is fastened, and in its projected portion at one side of the fiume 1 the said trough 21 is provided with a bottom discharge-pocket 2G. The bottom discharge-pocket 26 of the trough 21 communicates with a side discharge slot or opening 27, from which leads a side-inclosed side discharge-chute 28, projected from one side of the trough 21. A cut-off gate 29 is mounted to slide within the chute 28, outside of the opening 27, and is designed to cover and uncover said opening to regulate or cut off the fiow therethrough.

Fitted within the bottom of the trough 21, directly over the bottom discharge-pocket 26 therein, is a separating-screen 30. The separating-screen 30 may be of any desired mesh and is of the same area as the bottom discharge-pocket 26, over which it is arranged, so that the flow which finds its way into said pocket must necessarily first pass through the screen 30. The sand and gold readily pass through the screen 30 and into and out of the pocket 26; but all clay and coarser particles, such as gravel andl the like, are separated from the fine sand and gold by the screen and remain on the latter, so that the accumulations thereof can be readily removed from time to time; but in the event of the trough being made longer to feed more than one amalgamating device it will be obvious that the .iiow through the trough 2l will carry the accumulations of clay and coarse particles olf of the separating-screen out to the end of the trough.

The sand and gold, together with the water, which of course flows the same, pass into the closed end of the inclined amalgamating-box 31. The inclined amalgamating-box is set at any desired pitch or inclination as maybe required for the work and is provided with a lower open end 32, through which the tailings discharge, and at its upper closed end the said amalgamating-box is provided with a side supporting-bracket The side supporting-bracket 33 is preferably triangular in shape and is projected beyond the upper end and one side of the box 3l to receive for support thereon the extended portion of the combined separating and feed tro ugh 21, and at its outer end or apex the said bracket 33 is provided with an engaging eye 34, that is adapted to detachably engage with a pin 35, projected from one side of the trough 21, to provide a firm connection between the trough and the box 31. The box 31 extends at a downward inclination from one side of the IOO IIO

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trough 21, and the chute 28, projected from one side of the said trough, overhangs the upper closed end of the boX 31 in order to discharge the flow of sand and gold into the box 3l, in which the gold is collected by means of the amalgamating devices to be described.

The amalgamating-box 3l is provided at its inner lower side edges with the opposite slide-grooves 3G, that are adapted to receive theopposite side edges of abottom pan 37, that is adapted to be slid in and out of position within the bottom of the box 3l, and when arranged in position within the boX 3l the said pan 37 is adjusted withone end resting directly against the closed end of the boX 3l directly under the chute 28.

rlhe removable bottom pan 37 is adapted to removably accommodate therein the lower set of amalgamated riftle plates 38. The lower set of riflie-plates 38 are preferably made of copper coated with quicksilver to provide for the amalgamation of gold which is carried by the'sand flowed around the said rifiie-plates. The said rifile-plates are L- shaped and are arranged sufficiently close to- Igether so that the lower horizontal portions of the said L-shaped plates which rest iiat on the bottom of the pan 37 will meet each other to form a continuous amalgamated bed portion, over which the sand and gold are carried by the now of water. The vertically-disposed portions of the L-shaped lower riffle-plates 3S are necessarily spaced apart to form pockets therebetween and are arranged parallel with each other. The said vertically-dis posed portions of the L-shaped plates 3S are provided at their upper edges with the right-angularlydisposed flanges 39, that are disposed away from the flow, or, inother words, in the same direction as the flow. The entire set of lower riftle-plates 38 are removably and temporarily secured together in the relative positions referred to by means of opposite parallelholderstrips 40, that are provided in their inner side edges with a parallel series of transversely-disposed grooves 4l, that receive the opposite ends of the vertically-disposed portions of the plates 38, and when arranged within the pan 37 the said holder-strips vare held tightly on the ends of the riffle-plates 38 to maintain the same relatively positioned. W'hen the lower set ofV riflie-plates are removed from the pan 37 for the purpose of recovering the amalgamated gold from the said plates, the holder-strips are preferably retained in position on the ends of the riffleplates by means ofl the inverted-U-shaped retaining-bars 42, arranged transversely between and above the strips 40 and detachably embracing the outer sides of the same.

The lower set of riffle-plates 3S are adapted to have removably arranged thereover and therebetween the upper set of vertically-disposed rifIie-plates 43. The upper set of riffle-plates 43 may be made of Wood or any other suitable material, but are preferably made of the same material as and wider than the lower riftle-plates, and are also coated with quicksilver to provide for the collection of gold by amalgamation. The upper set of vertically-disposed rifiie-plates 43 are maintained in their relative grouped positions-that is, in a parallel series-by means of opposite parallel holder-strips 40, similar to the strips 4() for the lower riffle-plates, and which holderstrips are also provided in their inner side edges with transversely-disposed grooves 4l to receive the ends of the plates 43, and the said holder-strips 40a are removably and temporarily retained properly in position by means of the inverted-U-shaped retainingbars 42, similar to the bars 42, and also embracing the outer sides of the strips 40,

The upper set of parallel vertically-disposed rifde-plates 43 project below the lower edges of the holder-strips 40 therefor, so as to eX- tend centrally into the spaces or pockets between the vertically-disposed portions of the lower L-shaped riflie-plates 38, and at their lower edges the said upper riftle-plates 43 are provided with the right-angularly-disposed flanges 44, that are located below the flanges 39 of the plates 38 and are disposed in a reverse direction thereto--that is, in a direction opposed to or toward the flow of water and sand through the box 31. The said upper riflie-plates 43 may also be provided at their upper edges with the strengthening flanges or beads 45; but by reason of the disposition of the lower edges of the upper riftle-plates 43 within the pockets or spaces between the lower rifIie-plates it will be obvious that a circuitous circulation is provided for the ow of sand and water, so that the same will be `compelled to come in contact with every part or exposed portion of the lower riftle-plates and also the portions of the upper rifIie-plates that proj eet in between the lower riffle-plates.` The position of this double set of rifie-plates provides means for keeping the sand in constant agitation, thus giving the advantage of all the exposed surfaces of the rifiie-plates for amalgamation, and, furthermore, it will be noted that the disposition and arrangement of the reversely-disposed flanges 39 and 44 provide for such an agitation of the sand as to absolutely prevent a clogging or settling of the sand in the riftles.

While the reversely-disposed flanges 39 and 44 are not absolutely necessary when a greater flow of water and sand is desired, still it will be obvious that the same perform very important functions in connection with the thorough agitation of Vthe sand, andat this point it is be noted that when arranged within the box 3l the upper set of riffle-plates are held properly positioned by means of suitable stop-plates 46, secured to one end of the holderstrips 40, for the lower set of riftle-plates, and said plates therefore serve to maintain the upper and lower riflie-plates relatively positioned, so that the sand may freely flowin between the riie-plates and out at the lower open end of the amalgamating-box.

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The amalgamating-box 3l is provided with a removable bottom board 47, that is adapted to be removed, so that the bottom opening i8, uncovered thereby, may receive therein a fiattop heating-tank 49, that is provided with suitable pipe connections 50 to provide for the circulation of steam or hot water therein. Vhen placed in position at the bottom of the box 3l, the flat top of the tank 49 rests directly against the bottom of the pan 37 to provide for maintaining the quicksilver on the riffle-plates sufficiently warm and active for amalgamating purposes.

From the above it'is thought that the construction, operation, and many advantages of the herein-described separating and amalgamating apparatus will be apparent without further description, and it will be understood that changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

l. In an apparatus of the class described, a fiume provided with a bottom discharge-opening, a grill or grating removably fitted in said bottom discharge-opening, a discharge-box arranged against the bottom of the flume directly under the bottom discharge-opening therein and provided-with an open top, an inclined bottom, and a gate controlled discharge-opening at one end of said inclined bottom, securing-bars arranged transversely under said discharge-box and projecting at their extremities beyond the sides of said box, exteriorly-arranged securing-rods provided at their upper ends with hooks detachably engaging over the upper side edges of the flume, said rods being bolted at their lower extremities to the extremities of said transverselyarranged securing-bars, and a suitably-arranged ainalgamating device, substantially as set forth.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a flume provided with a bottom discharge-opening, a discharge-box detachably fastened to the bottom of the flume below said bottom discharge-opening and provided with an end gate-controlled dischargeopening, a combined separating and feed trough arranged under the flume at right angles thereto and detachably secured to the flume so as to bear under the discharging end of said discharge-box, said trough being provided beyond one side of the fiume with a screened bottom discharge-pocket and a side discharge-opening leading from the pocket below the screen therein, and an amalgamating device arranged under and beyond the side discharge-opening of the trough and supporting one end of the latter, substantially as set forth.

3. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a flume provided with a bottom discharge-opening, a discharge-box detachably fastened to the bottom of the flume under said bottom discharge-opening, a trough arranged below the fiume at right angles thereto and bearing under the discharging end of the discharge-box,said trough being provided at one side beyond the flume with a discharge-opening, a fastening-bail pivotally connected to one end of the trough and provided with hooks adapted to engage with keepers at one side of the flume, and an amalgamating-box, supporting amalgamating devices, and provided at one end with a triangularly-shaped offstanding supportingbracket disposed Linder said trough and provided at its outer end or apex with an eye engaging a pin at one side of the trough, substantially as set forth.

4i. In an apparatus of the class described, an amalgamating-box, a bottom pan slidably fitted within the box, a lower set of amalgamated rifie-plates arranged in said box, said lower rife-plates being L-shaped in cross-section and having their lower horizontal portions contiguousl y meeting each other and resting flat on the bottom of the pan, and an upper set of parallel rilfle-plates supported above the lower plates and projected at their lower edges into the spaces or pockets between said lower plates, substantially as set forth.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, an amalgamating-box, a lower set of closelyarranged L shaped riiile plates mounted within said box, the straight vertically-disposed portions of said L-shaped plates being provided at their upper edges with right-angularly-disposed flanges, and an upper set of parallel vertically-disposed riffle-plates projected at their lower edges into the spaces or pockets between the lower riffle-plates, said upper riffle-plates being wider than the lower ri'lfle-plates and provided at their lower edges with right-angularly-disposed flanges located below and disposed in a reverse direction to the flanges of said lowerriffle-plates, substantially as set forth.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, an amalgamating-box, a bottom. pan removably fitted within said box, upper and lower sets of alternating amalgamated riffie-plates, the lower of which are arranged directly in said pan, opposite parallel holder-strips provided in their inner side edges with transverse grooves which loosely receive the ends of each setof riffle-plates respectively, and inverted-U-shaped retaining-bars arranged transversely between and above the holderstrips and adapted to detachably embrace the outer sides of said strips, substantially as set forth.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, an amalgamating-box provided with a removable bottom board to cover and uncover a bottom opening, a metallic pan arranged to IOO IIO

rest on the bottom of said boX and supportmy own I have hereto alxed my signature in ing amalgamatng devices, andaflat-top heatthe presence of tWo Witnesses. ing-tank adapted to be A`detaohably ttell in said bottom opening of the box so that its LUCIUS S. PIERCE. 5 flat top will rest directly against the bottom .Wtnessesz of the pan therein, substantially as set forth. E. H. LINDSEY,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as H. W. GOODRICH. 

